Alix Shaver 

I am a recent graduate of Appalachian State University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree in Reading Education from Appalachian State. I work as a tutor in kindergarten, second, fourth and fifth grade at Newland Elementary in Avery County and I also substitute often in Avery and Watauga County. The most important things in my life are my family, friends, boyfriend, and my dog Murphy. My boyfriend and I got her in March and she has made our lives better everyday since! My love of reading began when I read my first book, Are You My Mother? by Dr. Seuss. My Dad motivated me to learn to read by telling me that I could get my ears pierced once I read a full book to him on my own. I was determined to do so and we went to Claires the very next day to get my ears pierced. I continued reading and reading, always getting to participate in fun things such as attending minor league baseball games and running the bases for reading 100 books. In 4th and 5th grade I loved participating in Battle of the Books. In middle school I loved to read chapter books about high school drama. In high school I lost some of my love of reading for pleasure to reading for AP English and other rigorous classes. My love of reading returned when I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio for a course in undergrad. I have always loved to write professionally and personally. Throughout my life I have kept a journal of some sort and love writing about what happens in my everyday life. I was inspired to live a writerly life by my Grandmother whom I call "Mawmaw." She has always kept a book filled with stories, funny things, and experiences had with her grandchildren. I loved having her read it to me as a child and it motivated me to write things down that may seem like small things at the time because one day I will want to remember them.